Speculum



' RACHEL s. PAGKSON, or EMPORIA, KANSAS.

SPECULUM.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 355,709, dated January 11, 1887.

Application filed June 22, 1886. Serial No. 205,911. (No model.)

I To aZZ whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, RACHEL S. PAOKSON, of Emporia, in the county of Lyon and State of Kansas, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Rectal Specula for Treatment of Hemorrhoids, of which the following is a specification, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, in which Figure l is a view of the instrument with the slides in place. Fig. 2isalongitudinal section. Fig. 3 is a view of the instrument with the end swung out and the slides withdrawn. Fig. 4 is a view of one of the slides detached. My invention consists in improvements upon specula of the class in which the inner ends are closed and a slide is employed to be drawn out more or less to uncover the diseased part on the side of the instrument to be treated. i

My improvements, stated. in general terms, consist, first, in providing askeleton frame for a speculum, composed of rings and ribs, and in providing any desired number of longitudinal slides fitted to thisframein suchamanneras to form apracticallycontinuous exterior tubular surface when theslides are in placein the instrument-and asuitable support or distender when the slides are withdrawn; second, in provid- ,ing a separate end part applied at an incline with reference to the axis of the speculum, as illustrated in the drawings, so as to ordinarily close the inner end of the instrument, but hinged to the inner end, as shown, so that the inner end may be opened at will.

Referring to the letters upon the drawings in aid of a description in detail of my improved speculum, Aindicates a skeleton frame provided, as shown, with ribs B and rings or supports 0; but these may be varied in form and number at pleasure, as also the instru ment may,of course,be varied in size at pleasure. It is preferably slightly tapered in the usual manner. The slides are held to the frame in ways of any ordinary or desired constructionsuch, for example, as shown-or any other that are suitable.

It will be desirable, generally, to make the ribs and rings as small and lightas practicable, so that they will form in some sense asort of cage or net-work to sustain the parts in place and in view even when the slides are-drawn out altogether. For example, some of the rings or supports may be made heavier than others, and between them may be a fine coil parts distended and sufficiently exposed to view for practical treatment-in fact, any form of skeleton or open frame formed of ribs and rings adapted to receive slides and to hold the parts distended andin view when theslides are withdrawn may be employed.

D indicates a flange or rim of ordinary character and having the usual function in this class of specula.

E indicates a handle for applying and adjusting the instrument.

F indicates the end part hinged to the main body of the instrument, as shown.

G indicates a reflector, which may be attached to or madeapart ofthe hinged end part.

H indicates a lug or projection, through which the pivot I passes to form the hinge. Connected with this lug or projection is a slide, K, provided with a handle, L, and working in suitable ways in the skeleton frame. .By pushing it inward the hinged end portion is swung or opened more or less. as indicated in Fig. 3, and by drawing it out it is closed, as shown in Fig. 2., The advantages of this swinging end portion are, first, that it enables the reflector to be adjusted at any desired angle, so as to throw thelight with more intensity upon any desired portion of the instrument; second, when thrown back it enables the physician to see and treat a diseased portion beyond what can be reached by the openings in the side of the instrument. At the same time it has the advantages, practically, of instruments, with closed ends in preventing the ingress of faeces into the instrument.

Each slide is provided, inthe usual manner, with projecting handles M, for drawing them out or adjusting them to place, as desired;

'1 do not confine my invention to the particular form of embodiment I have here illustrated, because, without departing from its essential principles, which are the provision of the skeleton frame and of the hinged end part, it can be used with material advantage over any other speculum not provided with these features; nordo I confine the use of my speculum to rectal purposes, as the essential features of my invention might readily be embodied in specula for some other uses.

Having thus described my invention, what for operating the hinged part, substantialiy as 10 I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters set forth.

' Patent of the United States, is- I testimony whereof I have hereunto sub- 1. A skeleton frame for a speculum, consistscribed my name. 5 ing of ribs and supports or rings combined with two or more slides, substantially as set RACHEL PAGKSON' forth. Witnesses:

2. In combination with aspecuium, ahinged E. N. EVANS,

end part provided with a reflector and means l A. M. FLORY. 

